Rep. Francisco Canseco claims TSA assault after security screening

Rep. Francisco “Quico” Canseco claimed Wednesday that he was singled out – twice – for security scans at the San Antonio airport this month by federal screeners who were “overzealous” in frisking the congressman.

Canseco, R-San Antonio, accused the Transportation Security Administration of assault, which prompted one of the TSA screeners to claim the congressman assaulted him when his hand was brushed away brusquely during a pat down.

An airport spokeswoman said San Antonio Police were called in to referee the incidents that occurred on April 16 and April 22. No formal charges were filed.

Canseco, a freshman lawmaker, said the security agency created after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks has gone too far in its measures to prevent repeat acts of terrorism.

“I believe the TSA has become an agency without restraint, and its overzealous policies threaten people’s personal dignity and freedom,” Canseco said in a statement.

Canseco, a former banker, complained in media interviews that he was unfairly singled out among travelers for secondary inspections at the San Antonio Airport.

The first pat down resulted in an inspector touching him in a manner that made him feel uncomfortable, he said.

A TSA spokesman in Dallas, Luis Casanova, confirmed that the incidents involving Canseco occurred. But he noted that Canseco was “randomly selected for the additional screening during the first encounter.”

The spokesman said the inspection was routine, and said that flare up with the lawmaker could have been an unfortunate incident.

When Canseco questioned why he was singled out a week later, an aide said, the police were brought in to discuss procedures.

Dubbed the “freedom fondle” by critics of the TSA and its expanded searches at airports, liberal and conservative lawmakers have led a vocal backlash against the agency’s pat downs at airports.

“There are other ways of security airways from terrorists without forcing people to make such sacrifices, which I believe we in the Congress should look into,” Canseco said.